Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had any success in creating a kitless pen that has a cap that clicks on and off, rather than screws on and off? I have only seen ones that screw on and off. By looking at name brand pens I have, it seems to be done by having the part of the section that's right by the nib have a bump in it, and then have that click into some kind of inner structure inside the cap? Sounds challenging to make, but I'll be getting a metal lathe soon, so I'm guessing it's possible?
Pop/Click off cap for a kitless pen - is it possible?
- Thread starter cjenkins
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rixstix
Member
Well, it's not a click but it is working for me. Matched, locking tapers. Airtight. Postable. Press on. Twist on/off. User's preference. The design basis was given to me by my Australian, Bosch engineer/machinist friend on his visit last year when I posed a similar question to him. I'm currently using a 2 degree, locking taper.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/postable-oyster-kirinite-fiber-tipped.182280/
I hope others will speak out with their ideas.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/postable-oyster-kirinite-fiber-tipped.182280/
I hope others will speak out with their ideas.
leehljp
Member Liaison
Great idea. Looking forward to the responses here!
You do not mention fountain pens specifically, so I will mention the Schmidt rollerball nib. Beaufort and Exotic Blanks sell a Schmidt rollerball nib for kitless pen making. The nib works with a standard international converter so that you can use fountain pen inks. It is threaded just like a Bock #6 nib housing. It also comes with a plastic cover piece that you can build into your cap, which will give you a snap cap.
Can't find the Exotic Blanks link, but here is Beaufort:
https://www.beaufortink.co.uk/bock-...-kitless-pens/refillable-rollerball-nib-black
Besides that, I know there are some good factory made snap-cap fountain pens, but many snap-cap fountain pens tend to dry out pretty quickly. I haven't gone down this path, but I would imagine one could come up with a good snap-cap design. I always thought about maybe using a 3D-printed cap insert of some type. I have seen someone mention using magnets with a snap-cap idea to make the cap a magnetic connection.
Can't find the Exotic Blanks link, but here is Beaufort:
https://www.beaufortink.co.uk/bock-...-kitless-pens/refillable-rollerball-nib-black
Besides that, I know there are some good factory made snap-cap fountain pens, but many snap-cap fountain pens tend to dry out pretty quickly. I haven't gone down this path, but I would imagine one could come up with a good snap-cap design. I always thought about maybe using a 3D-printed cap insert of some type. I have seen someone mention using magnets with a snap-cap idea to make the cap a magnetic connection.
ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
jttheclockman
Member
This topic has been talked about here and you would need to do some searching through the achieves of threads. I do remember my buddy SkipRat (Steven) did something back in the day and the topic was discussed in length back then. I do not have the time to do the search right now but maybe at a later date.
Oh wow! Would have never though of that! I looked at it, very pretty design as well! Thank you!
Oh my gosh, I will totally check that out! Yes I would be interested in making kitless rollerballs. One that you can have unlimited ink with because it can fit a converter is awesome!! That is SUCH a good idea. I don't like having to constantly buy new refills or new disposable pens.
Thank you! Seems I need to try harder with my digging. Also, I have just looked at every single picture Steven posted of his pens, amazing concept art, he was really talented.
Ah, there it is, thank you!
leehljp
Member Liaison
I always enjoy JohnT's insights and works. He and I started almost the same time. I did a search and could not turn up anything, but it seemed like I vaguely remembered this being discussed long ago. Because I couldn't find it, I let it go. When John mentioned SkipRat, then I remembered there was discussion back then. John's memory is better than mine! It is nice to have some long ago members here. Ed (ed4copies) is another one that has long memories. Searches are good and helpful, but if the right words or wordings are not used, it is hard to find certain posts. This is where the early members really help.
Thanks John for remembering this. And thanks Ed for your post. Thanks for Mark (hooked) for that post too.
Thanks John for remembering this. And thanks Ed for your post. Thanks for Mark (hooked) for that post too.
Hippie3180
Member
This made me think of my Lamy I bought over the summer, it has a cap that clicks on and off and is postable. I've not seen in in more handcrafted pens though, but maybe it's a thing one could do with CNC.
The photos aren't great hard area to photograph, but basically at the end of the body where the cap fits there's a little bead and inside the cap a small bevel.
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jalbert
Member
I did a slip cap a while back, but I used o rings so I didn't have plastic parts rubbing up against each other and making scratches
A challenge
This is a pen I made a few weeks ago, as a response to a challenge from a friend. The challenge: make a fountain pen with a slip cap, rather than a screw on cap. This is what I came up with. It’s is made from a light blue transparent acrylic, with silver trim and clip. It is threaded for a...
www.penturners.org
I noticed that as well, it was my LAMY that made me figure it out. Actually, you'll be surprised that it is actually not that part that makes the clicking sound, or holds the pen in place. It is actually the little plastic bump just after the nib. And the second, bigger plastic bump must seal off the ink from drying up. If you take off the midsection so that you're holding just the metal sleeve of the body and the cap, you'll find that you can slide the metal sleeves over each other forever, they do not catch on each other anywhere to make the clicking sound. But, then if you take the nib/section/converter piece that doesn't have the metal sleeve on it anymore, if you put that into the cap, you'll find that the cap secures it, and it might make a faint clicking sound. And then if you put the metal body sleeve back on, you'll find that the clicking noise is somehow amplified. Who knew that a pop cap would be so hard to design
Hippie3180
Member
Interesting, I kind of just assumed it was that little bead and bevel inside the cap. I don't really spend long analyzing it.
jttheclockman
Member
Here is a recent thread. I will try looking for Steven's thread. Steven made magnetic caps, snap caps, bayonet caps pressure fitting caps. He got into using rubber rings and there is threads on doing that. Threads on magnets. You name it he tried it. he was one of the kings of kitless pens. Here is a few threads from yesteryears about the use of snap caps in kitless pens. many people have tried. There are components that can be incorporated in the kitless world. I suggest just click on his name and thumb through all his postings and look for headlines. He was a wealth on info here and always shared all ideas. I miss that guy. One of the best. The king of the Bolt Pens.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/bayonet-cap-concept-pen.61549/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/push-on-caps.181223/#post-2218622
https://www.penturners.org/threads/snap-caps.44742/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/a-walnut-bolt.91371/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/new-style-for-me-snap-cap.85349/#post-1274258
https://www.penturners.org/threads/pink-and-brown-trim-kit-less-pen.139837/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/first-“kitless”.168432/#post-2105391
https://www.penturners.org/threads/bayonet-cap-concept-pen.61549/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/push-on-caps.181223/#post-2218622
https://www.penturners.org/threads/snap-caps.44742/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/a-walnut-bolt.91371/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/new-style-for-me-snap-cap.85349/#post-1274258
https://www.penturners.org/threads/pink-and-brown-trim-kit-less-pen.139837/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/first-“kitless”.168432/#post-2105391
Wow, excellent, thank you so much!! I will read through all of these. As well as look at all his posts and knowledge. It's so amazing that all this information can be preserved and accessed through this site.Here is a recent thread. I will try looking for Steven's thread. Steven made magnetic caps, snap caps, bayonet caps pressure fitting caps. He got into using rubber rings and there is threads on doing that. Threads on magnets. You name it he tried it. he was one of the kings of kitless pens. Here is a few threads from yesteryears about the use of snap caps in kitless pens. many people have tried. There are components that can be incorporated in the kitless world. I suggest just click on his name and thumb through all his postings and look for headlines. He was a wealth on info here and always shared all ideas. I miss that guy. One of the best. The king of the Bolt Pens.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/bayonet-cap-concept-pen.61549/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/push-on-caps.181223/#post-2218622
https://www.penturners.org/threads/snap-caps.44742/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/a-walnut-bolt.91371/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/new-style-for-me-snap-cap.85349/#post-1274258
https://www.penturners.org/threads/pink-and-brown-trim-kit-less-pen.139837/
https://www.penturners.org/threads/first-"kitless".168432/#post-2105391
jttheclockman
Member
If it has been thought of it has been discussed through the years. There have been some very talented artisans that have come through this site and along the way left us with a treasure trove of information. The library is always a first stop because it has been run by Wayne for many years and he has put tremendous amount of hours organizing it. He does not get the Fanfare he deserves. When Jeff upgraded the site a few years ago one of the features improved was the Search button. It is alot easier to zero in on topics if you develop a feel for words used here. Good luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
John Fiorello
Member
I've been searching to find some snap caps for simple fountain pens, the best luck I've found so far is to buy cheap completed pens from TEMU/Amazon and dissect them for their parts. I'd like to try and make them, but I only have a wood lathe and I think you'd need the precision of a metal lathe to get tolerances close enough to machine your own.
Thank you, that's a good idea, this is something I might try in the meantime!